Category Archives: Made in USA

We all know that dogs love to chew on bones (and other items, but we won’t go into that here). I have given Cici all kinds of chews and bones. I have given her raw bones, frozen, but she would chomp them up and I was always afraid that those large pieces of bones might hurt her. What to do? You gotta give your dog a bone to chew on but you are not supposed to give them cooked bones and raw bones can be hard too. (Pun intended).

We have long been a fan of Dr. Joseph Mercola online. The info on his website is quite good, alternatively delicious and healing. And his team includes Dr. Karen Becker, a vet. So, we were delighted to receive these dental bones for Cici’s review. And she LOVES them. She gets one per day and drools whenever I take one out to give it to her. And it is good for me because I know that they are great for her teeth. Win-win. All four paws up and two thumbs up !

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80% of dogs show oral distress by age 3. It’s one of the most common health issues treated in animal health clinics today.

Dr Becker says in the video that telling you not to brush your dog’s teeth is like telling you to forego brushing and just chew granola. She suggests that our dog’s oral health is VERY important. And that is why it is important to brush your dog’s teeth every day. So these bones are not a substitute for that. (Although I admit am not a big fan of brushing Cici’s teeth).

Here’s a quick checklist to help you start taking better care of your dog’s teeth:

UPDATE: We have a winner… Cici picked Susan Christy and her dogs Foxy and Lucy. Thank you ALL for participating in the contest.

YUMMY!

Your dog is invited to try free samplesof Milo’s Kitchen® treats so you can figure out which varieties will have your four-legged friend begging for more.

AND one lucky winner will receive a gift pack. The gift pack will include three varieties of Milo’s Kitchen® dog treats, and a $25 VISA gift card . All you have to do is write a comment (below) telling us how much your pooch LOVES treats and what is their favorite taste sensation (peanut butter, chicken, beef, turkey, lamb etc).

·There’s no such thing as too many pictures of dogs. Receive family portrait photos straight from the Milo’s Kitchen photo booth or take your own selfies. Don’t forget to show off your dog’s look on Facebook, or via Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MKTreatTruck.

Milo’s Kitchen Treat Truck:

·The Milo’s Kitchen Treat Truck will be coming to your area so plan a special date with your dog :

Whenever we travel, Cici has her own bag filled with goodies just for her… these are gotta haves, bring with us items that are crucial for a safe, happy trip. And below, we are sharing some of these items with you.

Some these items came in Cici’s Pet Box (the ones with a *)…a wonderful pick and choose pack filled with items that doggies love and need. One of the things we LOVE about PetBox is that PetBox gives you the option to pack your own box. And the items you have to choose from are not just any old products. They are premium products such as the ones below. Monthly subscriptions … we also love the cardboard box that the items come in. Another cool thing is that for every PetBox purchased, they feed a rescue animal. Oh and cats are not left out in the cold either. There are cat boxes, too.

Here is what makes PetBox unique, compared to other monthly doggie boxes:

All products are made in the US

– Toys and treats are customized by dog or cat size

– When you order a PetBox, it ships within 2 business days

– For every purchase, the company feeds rescue animals with the help of a new partner called Bogo Bowl

Cici loves to jump into the driver’s seat when I run into the store. I come back to find you-know-who drooling on the steering wheel and getting the front seat all hairy.

Here is where the Backseat Barrier™ comes in. Super stylish, this cloth barrier attaches to the back of your front seats, creating a soft wall between you and Fido…blocking that little space above your center console. She can still sit and peer through the mesh top; you can even reach back for a scratch if necessary. Most importantly, this barrier helps to keep you distraction free while driving, and keeps your pup safely out of the front of the car.

What an enchanting little picture book about a little girl named Avery and her best pal Pansy (toy poodle). They go on an adventure, discover the joy of travel and solve a mystery. Written from Pansy’s point of view, adorable.

What can you learn about love and life from your dog? This book is filled with 60 hilarious and heartwarming tales and tips and tons of great photos… Play Fair, Praise Me, Listen Well, Honor my Feelings and more… Try this: pretend you’re a dog and look in the mirror…laugh out loud funny book

Medicine Dog book by Julia Szabo is an inspirational true story about a miraculous cure. One ailing woman’s journey to cure her best friend ends up healing herself. Julia Szabo’s dog Sam was very ill with osteoarthritis. Stem cells restored him to his former and younger self. She went to her doctor and asked to be treated like her dog. She suffered from a chronic inflammatory bowel disease and it took four years for her to become the first American to obtain the stem cell treatment herself.

Give a gift that changes a life… inspires hope and change… and is eco friendly

Gifts from Heifer International are the prefect way to show your mom, grandmother, aunt, or mother figure in your life that you care… fund a project in the USA, to give families in Arkansas and Appalachia in poverty, a leg up… or give a goat, chickens, geese, ducks, sheep, rabbits to help end World Hunger.

this scarf is made in the USA, made of eco friendly fabric and printed with water-based ink… it is soft, shiny, and this company also makes tee-shirts for a cause (endangered species, eat your veggies and other great topics)… tees are made either 100% from organic cotton, a blend of recycled plastic bottles (RPET) and organic cotton, or other eco-friendly materials. To make the RPET, recycled plastic bottles are melted down and then processed into a fine yarn which, in turn, becomes a soft and silky t-shirt. They are made with No pesticides, less plastic in landfills. It takes between 3 to 5 plastic bottles to make each RPET/organic cotton blend tee. After the bottles are melted, the plastic fiber is blended with organic cotton to give these tees their soft, silky feel. These tees can be washed and dried over and over and they won’t shrink, fade or lose their shape.

Photographer Robert Semrow has put together an adorable and whimsical collection of dog themed portraits including a scuba diving dog, a pirate, and my favorites, a baking dog with wonderful ingredients, a furry angel and a chi-wow-wow in a basket and a sombrero hat… each portrait comes with appropriate sayings and props… A wide variety of dogs, sizes and breeds appear in the book. This gift book is in color and is a laugh out loud pawfect gift for all of the doggie mamas in your life.

An eclectic blend of some of the best Paso Robles reds, Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvee is a delicious, doggone great wine! Barrel aged from 14 to 30 months, this complex wine is a perfect “companion” with meals. Mom is sure to enjoy it with her friends. Perhaps you can even take her to visit this pet friendly winery in Paso Robles where she can meet Toby the blind dog up close and in person. (More about taking mom on a dog friendly trip to SLO County soon).

Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens by Lauren Scheuer is a laugh out loud and heartwarming story of Lauren’s life with her quirky flock of feathered friends. Lauren builds Lucy a special-needs coop. Lauren hatches a chick in her home. Raising backyard chickens in New England is no easy task but leads to an immensely enriched life as Lauren and her flock’s guardian Marky the terrier soon find out. Every mother hen will relate to the stories in this book.

The Original Dog Tarot card set and booklet is an amusing tool that gives human beings essential insight into the canine psyche.

Want to know why your dog shreds your slippers but ignores his designer toys? Does your pooch really want a puppy for companionship, or are you delusional? The Original Dog Tarot is an entertaining, tongue-in-jowl deck of tarot cards and accompanying book affectionately written for dog lovers who want to divine their canine’s mind. The 30 cards are a takeoff on the traditional tarot; they’re divided into the Major Barkana and Minor Barkana. Each card offers advice for both canines and the humans in their lives. You don’t have to be familiar with traditional tarot to use this deck. It is a witty and wise stand-alone oracle for anyone who has given up mastering the techniques of The Dog Whisperer.

Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Green Superfood bar…

I am always looking for treats and snacks that are easy to bring with me on the go, to the dog park, shopping or traveling. I get hungry and my blood sugar drops and before you know it, I become grumpy and growly and sweaty. And I do not eat enough greens in my diet. I have also been seeking how I can eat my greens without the yucky taste. These new Green Superfood bars hit all the right notes… yummy tasting, easy to carry, healthy and flavorful without all the junk of a candy bar. I have never had green foods taste this good. In fact, I couldn’t even taste the green foods. Now that is how I like them. Check out the ingredients below…(Note: not recommended for dogs due to chocolate in the bars)…

For the majority of people, stress and consumption of unhealthy processed foods can create an acidic imbalance in the blood that, among other problems, can cause the body to store water and build up fat in the arteries (cholesterol) as protection from acidic blood. The rich chlorophyll content and high alkalinity of Amazing Grass Green SuperFood helps to combat acidity and restore blood to the optimal pH level. It also promotes improved circulation, digestion and regular elimination.

The Amazing Grass Green SuperFood blend is a unique and potent combination of nature’s most nourishing, cleansing and rebuilding green superfoods including more than 70% certified organic ingredients and an enhanced digestive enzyme and active probiotic blend to improve nutrient absorption. Amazing Grass Green SuperFood combines nutrient dense green food concentrates with other uniquely powerful ingredients like açaí and maca. Sambazon? Acai, is a purple berry loaded with antioxidants, healthy omega fats, fiber and protein that grows in the Amazon Rainforest; and maca is a nutritious root grown at high altitudes in Peru that is known to be an adaptogen that boosts the immune system and provides sustained energy, vitality and mental clarity.

Amazing Grass’ mission is to educate the world about the benefits of green superfoods and the improved quality of life from healthy eating habits. In addition to the Green SuperFood Whole Food Energy Bars, Amazing Grass also offers a variety of organic Green SuperFood, Amazing Meal, Kidz SuperFood, Wheat Grass and Amazing Trio Powders as well as Organic Wheat Grass Tablets.

According to the The American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owning Survey 2011 – 2012, there are currently 72.9 million pet owning households and they regularly purchase lifestyle products for their pet, especially for holidays. Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day (2/14), Love Your Pet Day (2/20) or both, the sentimental holidays are coming up soon. Last year, over $120 million was spent on gifts for pets (up from the $90 million recorded in 2008).

Below are 14 suggested gifts for your pets that will show them you care… Each of the gifts have been paw picked and reviewed by Cici and I to make sure that you and your pooches will LOVE LOVE LOVE them… Enjoy !

Loving Pets shows dogs and cats how to dine in style! Cici loves her Bella Bowl with hearts and I love the ease of cleaning it.

We have been putting The CritterZone Air Purifier to good use 24/7 for days now. It is powerful, filterless and chemical-free and you can take one with you while traveling. Put one in the car and one in the hotel room and one at home. I was wheezing before using this purifier and Cici’s bugs were making her itchy. Plus, Cici can be a stinky girl. No more doggie smell, no more bugs, no more wheezing ! We love love love this little hard working product.

CritterZone air purifiers are odor neutralizers. They quickly remove the particles from the air that cause odors, restoring it to a healthier, fresher state. An all-natural process virtually eliminates odors, bacteria and other pollutants such as mold, mildew, E-coli, Staph, Salmonella, Listeria, and more. It safely and naturally kills germs in the air and provides a surface of protection to PREVENT germ and mold growth. Featuring 3 settings, you control the amount of natural charged flow to clean your room or vehicle; Virtually eliminating odors, bacteria and other air pollutants for up to 800 SQ FT!

As a busy pet owner, you may not have time to clean your home top to bottom constantly. That’s where a pet air purifier can help.

CritterZone, an ionic pet air purifier, can get to the root of the odor caused by the smelly cat or stinky dog in your life. It targets the odors and removes them, rather than covering them up. The CritterZone creates a continuous charged flow that restores the air to give it the natural cleaning power it has in the outdoors. The result is that odors are neutralized and removed from the air.

Another benefit of the CritterZone: It can pull the odors out of fabric and carpet. If your cat or dog had an accident, hold the unit over the spot or set it nearby, and you’ll be able to tell the odor has been neutralized in minutes.

GIVEAWAY ALERT !!!!

Incognito Pet Carrier in LE prints and solids is styled for pet travel when discretion is required. The design begs the question; “Is it for pets or people?” /Sturdi says, “You decide.”

This gorgeous, comfy red bag is only for small dogs under 40 pounds so Cici (does not fit) and she wants to Give It Away to someone with a small dog … All you have to do is leave a comment and tell us why you’d like to have it and it could be yours !!!!

There is a double zippered side door entry and top for easy access to your pet. When you are not traveling, your pooch or your cat could use it as a comfy crate house…

When you want to be Incognito, cover the mesh windows with attached privacy flaps and no one

knows what’s in the bag! Additional large pockets on each side will keep paper work dry.

Cuddling with pets keep us humans nice and warm and cozy. And sometimes our pets (and we) need a little extra warmth and comfort. We love this hot water bottle… it works!

www.WarmTradition.com offers some really unique hot water bottles that are great for pets to use. Pets like to curl up on a hot water bottle to keep themselves warm, comfortable and relaxed. Also great to use on dog or cat’s aches, pains or arthritis. Cover is removable and machine washable. Hot water bottle keeps pets warm for hours.

Boil water, pour into a hot water bottle and slip it in between the sheets of your bed (perhaps down by the feet where your pet is lying down) a few minutes prior to bedtime. The hot water bottle will stay warm all night An eco friendly and affordable way to keep warm throughout the winter.

Zuke’s Superfood Treats

Cici loves Zuke’s treats, all of them. Super treats, she scarfs them up no matter what flavor. They are Super nutritious and super delicious and the superfoods keep her going. The naturally powerful nutrients found in superfood berries, betas and greens are just plain yummy in her tummy.

Relaxing music for your pooches … a natural solution to pet anxiety and stress. This is classical music designed specifically to calm pets. You can play a CD for your pets when they are alone, recuperating from surgery, adjusting to new environments, or reacting to foreign sounds such as thunder. The music is very soothing and all selections have been re-orchestrated using the sounds, chords and harmonies proven to soothe “stressed out” pets – and their owners!

Evanger’s, America’s only privately-held, family-owned pet food cannery introduces a new Grain-Free recipe and packaging for Nothing But Natural Jerky Treats for dogs. Cici loves them and does not notice that they are only six calories each !!!

Like every Evanger’s dog and cat food product, Nothing But Natural Jerky Treats have always been prepared without a trace of artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. But now the treats are also Gluten-Free, removing oat flour from its list of farm fresh ingredients.

Available in these delectable combinations:

Organic Chicken, Fruits & Vegetables

Natural Buffalo, Fruits & Vegetables

Natural Pheasant, Fruits & Vegetables

Natural Venison, Fruits & Vegetables

Goat milk soap is for humans, too! This soap smells soooo good, I wish I could convey that thru the computer, it is heavenly delicious, lathers up like a champ and I love the peppermint lip balm and unscented soap for pets, too.

Goat Milk Stuff, offers these great lathering bars of natural chemical-free goat milk soap for dogs, as well as a wide variety of goat milk soaps and lotions for people and pets.

scented. Each Goat Milk Stuff scented or unscented pet bar costs $8 and is easy to use on your dog’s coat. It will get their hair clean, but is a lot easier to rinse off than most other pet shampoos. It is scented with essential oils that are designed to help repel irritating bugs. Plus, the goat milk helps to make it gentle and non-irritating on their skin.

While candy and flowers typify Valentine’s Day, gifts that pamper can make the day even more memorable. GoatMilkStuff is made by the Jonas family of 10 at their Indiana goat farm, the hand-made Goat Milk Stuff soaps and lotions are great gifts for loved ones and friends in a wide variety of scents.

With mom PJ and dad Jim overseeing soap making and marketing, each of the Jonas children (ages 5 to 16) pitches in to help milk the goats, mail soaps orders and help in many ways in the family’s growing business.

Goat Milk Stuff’s Valentine’s Day gift packs are reasonably-priced from $13 to $20, and each is presented in an organza bag with a variety of color and scent choices.

Cici chewed up the first one in 5 minutes but then the larger one has lasted and lasted and lasted. It is a tug toy with rope and a ball for chewing and tug fun.

To make these hearty tug toys, they use repurposed/recycled climbing ropes and hand make each and every tug. The tugs come in varying sizes and styles and have a broad range of colors. For Valentines Day, get some “love” tugs. These tugs are all red, as well as reds and whites and durable. Being made out of rock climbing ropes, they stand up to the toughest tug-o-war games. If the dog is a persistent chewer, they do not become stringy like other rope toys, meaning there is significantly less string swallowed as well as around the house. All the materials used are made in USA and the actual tug is made in Estes Park, Colorado. Tugs can be made in any color that is on the website. You can see the products at www.chewsonbelay..com You can also see pictures of the tugs in action on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChewsOnBelay

Doggy sheets

Cici and I both love her Valentine’s cute pink sheets with hearts on it for her bed. One of her beds.

Dogysheets come in many colors including Red for Valentines Day! They are easy to use, soft, pretty, machine washable and also come in different sizes and shapes (round, square, rectangle), made in the USA, 100% cotton and are fitted. Dogs love them! (What is not to love?)

Travel souvenirs for your pet… This is a cool product that is both fun and handy, to boot. Your pet can use the poncho to keep dry and you can use the pouch to keep stuff in it. Plus, it has iconic graphics of NYC (and other places) on it so you can show off to your friends where you’ve been or would like to go. They also offer doggie t-shirts (NYC) in different colors and sizes, too.

This collar is for the dark, comes in neon colors (Cici’s is hot pink) and you can get your dog’s info inscribed on it, to keep your pet safe at night and if your pet wanders off. This is a nifty and practical gift. Comes in different sizes, small, medium, large.

Perhaps you are traveling for V-day and want to send your pooch a message. What better way than send a frisbee with a special message printed right on it ! They will woof it up !!! This is a great gift for V-day, birthdays, Xmas and more.

Paperbacks start at $39.95; hardbacks at $74.95; ebooks at $14.95, but there are Valentine’s Specials on the site, so it’s best to look for a deal. Photos of the starring couple can be added to the cover for an additional $25. We ship worldwide. Ordering is fast, safe, and easy online at www.YourNovel.com. Order by February 8 for print books in time for Valentine’s delivery. Ebooks can be ordered up through February 14.

Pets?

Does not have a specific field for pets but if you want to put your pet’s name in for the space usually used for “best friends” you could do that.

NewsHound and Dog Travel Expert

Welcome! I'm CeliaSue, a creative California-based freelance writer who wants to help you travel with your pets and enjoy the ride. I provide reliable travel info for California, and the Southwest USA (occasionally the rest of the country), plus lifestyle inspiration about being a doggie mama on the road with a spoiled yet friendly polka dot princess named Cici. I also write about romance, eco friendly, spiritual, healthy and luxury travel for various publications.

Kait & John Seyal, along with their two dogs Max & Grace, walked across the US from DE to CA. They walked to promote pet therapy and animal rescue. Along the way, they stopped at hospitals, nursing homes, veteran facilities, … Continue reading →

Cici does not fetch but she sure does like Fetch Fuel. And I like that the company, GoGo Pet Products, uses only human grade and high quality ingredients, the lab and manufacturer are located in northern California and the easy … Continue reading →

Dog Wedding Trend Goes Hollywood Pet Parents Can Enter to See Their Dog in the New Movie “The Dog Wedding” and Win $10,000 in Prizes from Stella & Chewy’s, BarkBox, DogTV and More Have you had a dog wedding? Was your dog your best man, bridesmaid or ringbearer? If so, enter #TheDogWedding Photo Contest (www.thedogwedding.com/contest) for the chance to […]

We are happy to announce that we made a list of Top 20 Pet Bloggers… from Trip Advisor… Yipppeeee…. Check it out: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/blog/top-20-pet-bloggers-of-2015/#sthash.kJZ4ecxi.dpbs

Puppy Love

Donations to the pet food bank is much appreciated. Email, call or just hit paypal. Thank you.